Toronto Star Staff Photo

Pre-diabetes is a diagnosis given to people who have elevated levels of blood glucose but have not reached the point of a diabetes diagnosis. It may take years before full-blown diabetes develops, so in some cases it is possible to prevent a full onset. Here are a few steps that everyone can take in the fight against diabetes.

Step 1
Find out if you have or are at risk for pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes by speaking to your healthcare provider. For many people, finding out they have pre-diabetes is a wakeup call to start taking preventative measures to hold off the development of Type 2 diabetes.

Step 2
Make permanent lifestyle changes. Research shows that losing five to seven per cent of your body weight (about 10 to 20 lbs. for someone who weighs 200 lbs.) by reducing calorie and fat intake, as well as getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, can decrease blood glucose levels. It can also help to accomplish other health goals such as improving blood pressure, raising HDL (good cholesterol) and lowering triglycerides.

Step 3
Keep an eye on your blood glucose. For those diagnosed with pre-diabetes, the goal is to reverse the condition and push blood glucose levels back into a normal range — or at least to delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes. But because there is always the possibility of recurrence, lifelong lifestyle changes, including healthy eating and regular exercise, are key.

For more information on pre-diabetes and diabetes prevention and treatment visit, diabetes.ca

By Ryan B. Patrick

Heart disease, stroke, diabetes and various forms of cancer are all serious health problems that seem to disproportionately affect those of African descent. In what’s being touted as the most ambitious collection of health data attempted in North America, the long-term findings of the new Ontario Health Study promise to fundamentally change how common chronic maladies and afflictions in the African-Canadian community are treated.

According to Lyle Palmer, the Ontario Health Study’s executive scientific director, the success of the population-based research hinges on the participation of the province’s ethnically diverse populations — including those from the Black community. “This is a really unique study in that no one has really tried to engage a whole society on this level. We’re interested in the geographic, cultural and ethnic diversity in Ontario,” he says.

More than 9.5 million Ontarians 18 years and older from every ethnic and social background will be eligible for the voluntary study, which is being led jointly by four government-funded organizations—The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Cancer Care Ontario, The Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, and The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. The sheer size and scope of the report, which has an $8-million annual budget, will also help transform the way clinical research will be conducted in the province, notes Palmer.

In addition, being able to monitor participants over the course of several decades will help researchers to better track trends in health problems and serious disease in all communities, including the Black community, says Palmer. “This was originally just a cancer study. Now, we’re looking at all chronic diseases—heart disease, diabetes, mental health issues, a whole host of things.”

Those concerned about potential privacy and security issues should know that only de-identified information will ever be supplied to approved researchers. No personally identifying information on Study participants will be provided to outside organizations, says Palmer. Private sector companies, such as drug companies and other industry groups will only be able to access reports on the findings of the resulting research to assist them in the development of new therapies and to make improvements to existing therapies.

The study is intended to run indefinitely, says Palmer. Ultimately the more Black Canadians participate, the more useful the findings will be in helping to improve the quality of life for all Ontarians

The Black Creek Community Health Centre (BCCHC) is a non-profit organization that provides a variety of clinical and health promotion services for residents in Toronto’s North York community.

Operating in Sheridan and Yorkgate malls, the BCCHC is equipped with doctors, nurse practitioners, social workers and cooperatives, who serve a wide demographic. Of the many health services offered by the BCCHC, one that is making a significant impact is its diabetes awareness and management program.

Michelle Westin, a community health worker based at the Sheridan Mall site, is on the front lines of the initiative. “I go out into the community and give diabetes awareness presentations to seniors groups, parent groups, youth groups and churches,” she says. “I also visit health care professionals in the area to share information about our services so that they can refer their clients to us.”

The importance of fostering diabetes awareness becomes clear when considering the pervasiveness of the disease in urban communities, with areas such as the northwest part of Toronto having some of the highest rates, according to Westin. The BCCHC’s free education program addresses all aspects of diabetes management. “It covers everything from nutrition (how food affects your blood sugar levels) to physical activity, medications and stress management,” Westin says.

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More::

Healthy Holiday Plans

Diabetes and Black youth

Take control of diabetes and high blood pressure

Diabetes coaching helps to combat epidemic

Childhood obesity — a growing concern

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Another crucial part of diabetes management is having peer support. “When you have diabetes, it can be a very isolating experience. You may feel like you’re the only person who has it,” Westin says.

Seeking to remedy this alienation, the BCCHC partnered with local agencies to launch the Diabetes Peer Support Project, in which residents of the Black Caribbean Canadian community were trained to facilitate peer support groups for those living with the disease. “These groups are actually run by people who have diabetes themselves,” Westin says.

From the project arose the Peer Support Group Guide, specifically created to be culturally and ethnically sensitive to those of Black Caribbean descent. It offers guidelines that make it possible for anyone interested to develop a diabetes peer support group in his or her own community.

The BCCHC’s diabetes peer support group meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Sheridan Mall location. Anyone from the Black Caribbean community living with diabetes is welcome to attend. “It’s a way to connect with other people in the community who have diabetes, share information, and get emotional and social support,” says Westin.

For more information, call 416-249-8000 or visit bcchc.com

BY: Josh Kail

Dealing with diabetes? Then you should know that the holiday season can bring about some challenges. With large helpings of wonderful home cooking, odd meal times and wide assortments of dessert, it can be frustrating to partake while managing your blood glucose levels. Reminding family members that it’s not that you can’t eat a big slice of grandma’s famous pie, it’s that you choose not to in order to keep your body healthy can be emotionally draining.

But following these tips can help you to have a festive, healthy and enjoyable time with family.

Plan ahead: With all the wonderful holiday food to choose from, be sure to have your plate planned out in advance to avoid letting your taste buds take over. This includes desserts. Find out recipes and carbohydrate content of foods ahead of time. You might find that you can fit in a little sliver of every favourite holiday dessert into your meal, and still stay on track.

Stay on track: Keep your carbohydrates spread out throughout the day; don’t save them all for one meal. Remember that your body likes consistency with carbohydrates to process the glucose efficiently and work properly with your medications. Pack up some leftovers and enjoy the holiday meal again the next day.

Fill ‘er up: Keeping blood glucose and weight management goals in mind, try not to go to any holiday parties or events on an empty stomach. That will only increase your chances or overeating and losing track of carbs and calories.

Boo to booze: If you choose to drink during the holidays, please be safe with carbs, calories, medication and general wellness. The recommendation for men is two drinks (one drink for women) per day. One drink is equal to one beer, 4 oz. of wine or 1 oz. of spirits. Some alcoholic beverages contain carbohydrates, especially when blended with sweet mixers such as margaritas or soda-based drinks, so they need to be included in your meal plan.

Be sure to wear medication identification, and never drink on an empty stomach. Also remember that alcohol does not mix well with most medications. So please check with your healthcare provider before drinking. Limiting your alcohol intake will save you calories and have less of an impact on blood glucose levels.

Have fun: Diabetes is manageable. With proper planning, this holiday season could turn out to be your best ever. Keep track of your diet and you’ll be ho ho ho-ing all season long!

Toronto Star Staff Photo

Keep an eye on these health issues and their often-ignored symptoms

By Stephanie Pollard

Individuals with diabetes have difficulty processing sugar (or glucose) once food has been digested. The causes of Type  2 diabetes (the type most commonly found in Black women) are unclear.

However, Black women are more susceptible to the ills of the disease due to socio-economic issues, including inaccessibility to proper healthcare. Symptoms include blurred vision, frequent bladder and vaginal infections as well as increased thirst, hunger and fatigue.

Treatment:
There is no cure for Type 2 diabetes. However, a low-fat diet, exercise and limited alcohol consumption can keep the disease under control, without large amounts of medication. Also, regularly checking blood sugar levels prevents the disease from worsening. “The staggering thing is that 95 per cent of diabetes cases are Type 2. That means the type of diabetes you can take control of,” says Dr. Drew Ordon, one of television’s favourite physicians on the weekly series The Doctors.

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More…

Diabetes coaching helps to combat epidemic

Diabetes

The uniqueness of black health

Childhood Obesity – a growing concern

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Issue: High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a result of increased pressure in the arteries that carry blood pumped from the heart to the tissues and organs in the body. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 is an indication of high blood pressure. The top number (systolic pressure) matches the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood into them.

The bottom number (diastolic pressure) matches the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after the contraction. The diastolic pressure shows the lower pressure to which the person is exposed. High blood pressure produces a series of symptoms that include headaches, nosebleeds and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, high blood pressure can weaken blood vessels in the brain. This causes them to break and bleed, which may result in a stroke.

Treatment:
While there is no cure for high blood pressure, it can be controlled. Like diabetes, changes need to happen: lifestyle, possibly medication and especially diet. “For a long time, we thought eating a fatty diet had long-term effects on your cardiovascular health.

The reality is, it happens almost immediately,” says Dr. Travis Stork, one of the four physician hosts on television’s The Doctors. In terms of diet, eating and cooking with less salt and staying clear of foods that are high in fat and cholesterol are vital. Your new lifestyle should also include exercise, specifically 30 minutes of aerobic activity at least three times a week.

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Diabetes has become an alarming epidemic. More than two million Canadians have diabetes, and that number is expected to reach three million by 2010. With the average patient-to-doctor face time lasting a mere seven minutes, much more must be done to reverse this growing trend.

Enter Fit4D, a newly expanded website and enhanced suite of personalized services that uniquely address the specific needs of those living with diabetes and pre-diabetes. It offers one-to-one personalized coaching services, engaging educational content and supportive online communities. Fit4D virtually connects its coaching team of dietitians, exercise physiologists, nurses and pharmacists — all certified diabetes educators (CDEs) — with diabetes patients all over the continent, empowering them through education and individualized motivation to live the healthiest and happiest lives possible.

“The benefits of working with Fit4D coaches for a person living with diabetes are to have their questions answered,” says Fit4D Fitness Coach Josh Gold. “People don’t typically have access to CDEs that readily. The Fit4D Quick Consult, one hour on the phone with a Fit4D coach, gives them confidence, answers questions and can put them at ease while educating on the reality and tapering fears.”

Picking up where the doctor leaves off, Fit4D is an online personalized diabetes coaching service dedicated to providing the highest levels of educational and emotional support for those living with type 1, 2 or pre-diabetes.

Fit4D not only helps to save and enhance the quality of life for those with diabetes and/or those who are at high risk for the disease, it also contributes by decreasing the costs of diabetes-related healthcare and filling in the gaps that now exist for ongoing patient care.

- For more information on diabetes coaching, go to fit4D.com.

Also see these other Sway articles on Diabetes:

Diabetes

Childhood Obesity, a growing concern

The Uniqueness of black health

The Black Health Alliance

It’s not your imagination: children today are getting heavier. And like many other conditions, childhood obesity tends to affect black children more.

Dr. Miriam Rossi, a professor at the University of Toronto and a former associate dean in its medical school, cites the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey — Nutrition, which looked at weight gain in children and teenagers from 1978 to 1979 and 2004. In that period, the rate of young people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds aged two to 17 classified as overweight or obese grew from 15 per cent to 26 per cent — the number classified as obese, meanwhile, more than doubled to 8 per cent.

Obesity in children is more than an aesthetic issue; it can lead to serious health complications later in life. Dr. Rossi works in the division of Adolescent Medicine at the Hospital for Sick Children. When she sees overweight teenagers, Dr. Rossi checks their blood pressure, even though hypertension is primarily seen in adults. Being overweight puts young people at greater risk and the incidence of high blood pressure is increasing among young people.

Dr. Christopher J. Morgan of Morgan Chiropractic & Wellness in Toronto says overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults, and that can lead to illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. He said chronic diseases are showing up earlier.

Few health statistics are available about black Canadians, but according to National Population Health Surveys conducted by the National Centre for Health Statistics in the U.S., black children were 4.5 to 9 per cent more likely to be obese than their white peers, depending on the age category.

There are several causes of obesity, including lack of physical activity and overeating. Some people are genetically predisposed to being overweight, while some medications can cause people to gain weight, Dr. Rossi said. Keeping weight under control is important for preventing other illnesses and reducing their severity. Dr. Rossi said people need to take control early and be sure their children are more active — even helping around the house counts — and eating properly.

Jon Sarpong

Editor’s Letter

Canadian winters fall into one of two categories; long and cold or very long and very cold. This year, we seem to have gotten off easy, and as the warm rays of spring hit our vitamin D starved bodies, many of us may feel a renewed sense of dedication toward investing in healthier and more holistic lifestyles. With this in mind, Sway brings to you our spring health supplement packed with ways to help Renew, Re-energize, and Reorganize throughout the season.

In our special health supplement, we connect with black doctors, nutritionists and alternative health specialists to find out specific ways that Black Canadians can improve individual health and wellness. With ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity running rampant throughout our communities, the need for understanding issues related to black health has never been so critical. Sway is on the forefront of providing this much-needed information to our communities.

Stepping out of the doctor’s office and onto the main stage, our cover story features budding superstar and Toronto native Melanie Fiona. Currently on tour with Alicia Keys and Robin Thicke, the Grammy- and Juno-nominated songstress took time out to speak with Sway about her long road to the top of the Billboard charts, the peaks and valleys of the industry, and life on the road as an entertainer. Although she didn’t take home the Grammy (it went to some singer named Beyonce), Fiona definitely takes top spot as Sway’s favourite new talent and we’re sure there will be many award-winning performances in her future.

From the glamour of the main stage to the style of the small screen, Sway spent an afternoon in the home of Restaurant Makeover designer Robin Fraser, who gave us the inside scoop on how to reorganize any area into a well-designed, multifunctional, family-friendly living space.

Finally, Sway travelled to Montreal, the heart of CanadaÕs Haitian community, to speak with the leaders, activists and organizers working to save lives and extend hope to the populace of the devastated Caribbean island nation. Their stories are both heartbreaking, inspiring and act as a continual reminder that each of us has a role to play in shaping lives both in Canada and around the globe.

This spring, letÕs seize the opportunity to add Reaching Out to our existing list of Rs, and remember that although charity may begin at home, it should never end there. (For info on how to donate to the Sway Scholarship Fund for Haitian refugees, see page 70.)

Take care and stay blessed,

JON SARPONG